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A Dallas teenager has received a top award for academics and community service that is given to only one Boys and Girls Club members in the state.

Since he was 6 years old, Darrius Shaw has been a member at the Oak Cliff Boys and Girls Club. As a senior at Townview School for Science and Engineering, he credits the club for much of his success in school.

"Actually, my great-grandma brought me here. This has always been a part of our family," said Shaw. "Just being here and being able to get help when you need it has been extra important for a lot of kids including myself."

Recently, Shaw received the Texas Youth of the Year award; which given to one member out of the more than 100 Boys and Girls Clubs statewide.

Youth of the Year Award

After spending two thirds of his life at a North Texas Boys and Girls Club, a Dallas teenager is pegged for one of the clubs top honors.

(Published Tuesday, March 16, 2010)

"I personally didn't think I would make it that far, but everyone here thought I would make it that far," said Shaw.

Program coordinator Cherri Rowe said she was confident he'd be selected.

"Darius is very poised. That's one of the first things I noticed about him," said Rowe. "Even when he was 12 years old, the presence he has now, he had then, and you could tell he was bound for greatness."

If he wins the regional and national award, he gets a face-to-face meeting with the President Barack Obama in the Oval Office.

"That's pretty much what I'm looking forward to. He's been a role model for a lot of African-American males in our society, and he's a trailblazer," said Shaw.

For now, Shaw is focused on giving back to the kids just starting out in the club, much like he did more than a decade ago.